Draft on Kenya’s ICT Policy now ready for stakeholders validation

This was said by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of ICT, Sammy Itemere through his twitter handle @ItemereS.

The PS also stated that The ICT Review Committee was now awaiting public debate on OTTs and Equity Ownership. “The revised ICT Policy takes into account the emerging issues in ICT trends and it’s geared towards attainment of SDG’s,” he added.

The review of the ICT Policies was necessitated by rapid changes in the sector, as well as efforts to meet the ministry’s performance targets as per its 2014-15 performance contract.

A draft document on the policy guidelines was developed in 2015, but upon extensive consultations, it was felt that it required further input aimed at providing a more inclusive document incorporating new and emerging issues within the ICT sector.

ICT Policy 2016 is set to provide a framework for sustained sector development over the next five years therefore giving an opportunity to the Ministry to boost its presence and visibility as a leading player in shaping the ICT sector. The policy will encompass infrastructure issues, applications and content creation.

Earlier in March 2016 during the launch of the Policy Review, The CS Ministry of ICT, Joe Mucheru had explained that the policy review would take a multi-sectoral approach, with input from all stakeholders. The sectors set for revision include mobile money, cyber security and virtual networks.

The committee working group handling new and emerging issues on infrastructure was expected to come up with strategic objectives to enhance ICT’s impact in the public sector, as set out in the e-Government strategic plan.

While on the other hand the devices, applications and content team was expected to develop proposals that will result in availability and affordability of devices, and embrace best practices in incorporating the use of Internet services. These will include big data, over-the-top content (OTT), which refers to delivery of audio, video and other media over the Internet without the involvement of a multiple system, mobile money and gaming.

To date , ICT issues are considered under Kenya Communications Act of 1998, which is termed as inadequate in dealing with issues of convergence, electronic commerce and e-Government.

The sector is also guided by a National ICT Policy 2006 but then the ICT Sector being dynamic as well as ICT being viewed as a key enabler for Vision 2030 there is need for a comprehensive policy, legal and regulatory framework to help Support ICT development, investment and application, promote competition in the industry where appropriate, ensure affordability and access to ICT nationally as well as address issues of privacy, ICT legislation, cyber crimes, ethical and moral conduct, copyrights, intellectual property rights and piracy.